PEARLAND — Jay Matus, owner of Texas Speed Racing and The Texas Mile, will join the EFFORT Racing team at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) for the final round of the 2012 Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy.

“EFFORT has given us the opportunity to be part of the opening weekend of COTA in support of the inaugural Formula 1 Race. There’s only one time in history that this will occur, and we are honored to be a part of it,” said Shannon Matus, Jay’s wife and longtime collaborator.

“We’ve been a part of Texas motor sports since 1991, first as participants and then becoming event organizers and creators and a two-car Porsche race team owner.

“Even though I do not race myself, the experiences I have had and the friendships we have formulated is what has me as addicted to the sport as much as any driver or crew member.”

After many years of competitive events with the Skip Barber Series and SCCA, Jay and Shannon wanted to help advance the opportunities in amateur motor sports in Texas.

In 2001, the Matuses launched the Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana arm of the National Auto Sport Association, where Jay also holds multiple regional German Touring Series titles. Jay is also the 2010 NASA GTS3 National Champion, placed second in the NASA GTS4 Nationals in 2011, and placed second in the NASA GTS3 Nationals in 2006.

With NASA, the Matuses were part of many firsts in Texas as well as being part of the first NASA National Championships in 2006 and, in 2003, creating the internationally-recognized land speed venue, The Texas Mile.

“The heart and soul of everything we’ve done in racing has always been about the overall experience for the people and the love of the sport. EFFORT Racing is much the same in their endeavors, leading with an intense focus on core values of what it takes to be champions.” Shannon said.

“Chuck Toups, EFFORT’s owner, gave us the go-ahead to put an additional car in the field. We’re happy to be able to give that opportunity to Jay. The Matuses have been a lot of help to me along the way, and I’m happy to be in a position to give something back to them for being such an integral part of Texas Motor Sports,” said EFFORT driver Michael Mills.

“We thank all of our Texas Mile and Texas Speed fans and sponsors for supporting our efforts in motor sports. We’re living the dream,” Shannon expressed.

Team TxSpeed is an amateur road racing team that has a reputation for operating in a manner found with highly respected professional teams.